The Rugby Championship kicks off for 2017 this weekend, starting with old foes New Zealand and Australia facing off in a match that doubles as the first of the three-match Bledisloe Cup series. So where will the two matches be played, what time do they kick off, and who will feature?

Fornaroli brace sends Glory packing

Melbourne City's first-ever home A-League final at AAMI Park provided the stage and Bruno Fornaroli brought the South American star power, his stunning brace bundling Perth Glory out of the finals.

City booked a semi-final clash against Adelaide United with a 2-0 elimination final win over Glory on Sunday and Fornaroli's brilliance in front of goal was the highlight of an aggressive, energetic performance by his team.

The Uruguayan sharpshooter netted a sensational overhead kick in the 40th minute and sent the 11,273-strong crowd wild with his 25th goal of the season - a sublime curling free-kick from just outside the box in the 76th.

Coach John van 't Schip backed his star import to perform on the big stage during the week and he didn't disappoint, with his outrageous first goal stunning in its sheer audacity.

"He has that in his game - it's a real South American quality maybe more than any other continent," van 't Schip said.

"I think he's a player, with (a big) game coming, he can give that extra for himself and the team.